Larry
Harvey, founder of Burning
Man, spoke about "special interests" in politics,
describing why one does not have to be a part of the traditional
political scene to have a strong impact on outcomes in races.
Larry doesnt usually endorse in local elections, but told
me he made the exception for Alix as he did only once before -
for Matt Gonzalezs mayoral bid in 2003. Alix attends Burning
Man and currently sits on the advisory board of the Black
Rock Arts Foundation.

Matt Gonzalez, Andy Blue and Larry Harvey.

Former Supervisor and Board President Matt Gonzalez
reminded the audience that the Castro was once represented by
Harvey Milk, an icon for progressivism in San Francisco. He explained
how the Supervisor representing that district today should still
be a progressive leader, voting alongside supervisors from districts
5, 6, and 9 on issues relating to tenant protection and supporting
efforts to prohibit autos from Golden Gate Park on weekends. Given
Matt won District 8 in the last mayoral election, running on a
progressive platform, he beleives such a return to progressive
ideals is possible.

DJ's and performers included a line-up of Alix
close friends, all well-known in the San Francisco music scene:
Syd
Gris heads up Opel Productions which throws some of the best
dance events in the city. Tamo and Viajay, fashion designers and
dj's of the all female ensemble Angels
of Bass. Smoove,
a dj whose breakbeat sets are known far outside of San Francisco.
And beatbox icon Kid
Beyond.

Wednesdays event for Alix was one of the better
fundraising parties Ive been to in years, at least for my
tastes. Cocktails, house parties, and fancy dinners are okay,
but those get old. Wednesday was the mixing of politics with a
scene that perhaps usually stays out of the local electoral fray,
or at least stays out until it feels moved by an individual like
Alix to jump in.

Smooves email that went out promoting the
night read in part: "Now, its not really my place to
tell you what to think or whom to vote for. But I will say, if
youre happy with the way things are going, stay home tonight.
If not, get off your ass and come down to Mighty a to support
Alix Rosenthal as she begins her quest into San Francisco politics
I can personally attest to the appropriateness of her IMs
and e-mails. Theyre always consensual and with persons whom
are of age."

The crowd was a mix of City Hall and Burning Man
folks, with quite a few straddling both worlds. I enjoyed running
into Alix and her partner Steve Jones, San
Francisco Bay Guardian City Editor, as well as at least a
dozen other City Hall and political types, who also attended Burning
Man this year.

Catherine Rauschuber and Steve Jones

Not to be too redundant with the themes in an earlier
piece I wrote about Lovefest,
Wednesday night was interesting in that it showed that such a
merging of worlds is natural for some candidates  and a
hell of a lot of fun too. The only weird thing was leaving Mighty,
where the dancing usually lasts hours past last call, before eleven